The annual budget is one of the single most important documents the Finance Department prepares for the city.

The budget process begins in February as the city's individual departments prepare objectives, personnel requests and performance standards for the upcoming year. In April, the departments prepare operating and capital outlay requests, while the Finance Director completes preliminary revenue estimates. In May and June, the City Manager reviews and finalizes the proposed budget which is presented to City Council in a workshop format in July.

Changes resulting from the budget workshops are incorporated into the document and presented for adoption in September. On October 1, the budget is implemented.